Equipment Carrying Device

ABSTRACT

A device capable of carrying a plurality of equipment is described. The device includes at least one handle, a conforming region, and at least one location for attaching or storing equipment. Users may carry equipment stored on/in the device by carrying the device on their backs and/or shoulders by grasping the handle of the device over their shoulder and allowing the conforming region to conform to their back and/or shoulder. The device, therefore, aids a user in carrying a plurality of equipment simultaneously. In at least some instances, a rotating handle may permit easy transitioning between a carrying position on a user&#39;s back/shoulder and a storage position, such as hanging on a wall or rack and vice-versa.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/941,490, filed Jun. 1, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carrying devices, and more particularlyto equipment carrying devices.

2. Background and Related Art

Today, many people engage in activities that require one or more piecesof equipment to complete. These activities may include constructionactivities, repair activities, cleaning activities, sports activities,landscaping activities, and business activities. For example, a userwishing to engage in landscaping activities may require equipment, suchas a shovel, a hose, a rake, a hoe, a pick-axe, as well as several handtools. These pieces of equipment may be large and cumbersome to carry,and a user needing multiple pieces of equipment must often carry onepiece of equipment at a time to the location where he or she desires toengage in the desired activity. Carrying pieces of equipmentindividually is time consuming and may require substantial effort. Also,heavy or oddly shaped equipment may put excessive stress and strain on auser's body while he or she carries the equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide devices capable of carryinga plurality of equipment. Embodiments of the device include at least onehandle, a conforming region, and at least one location for attachingequipment. Users may attach equipment to the device and carry the deviceon their back and/or shoulder by grasping the handle of the device overtheir shoulder and allowing the conforming region to conform to theirback and/or shoulder. In some embodiments, the handle of the device maybe a rotating handle to facilitate transitioning the device to and froman over-the shoulder position. The device, therefore, aids a user incarrying a plurality of equipment simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the equipmentcarrying device;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of the equipment carryingdevice;

FIGS. 3 a-3 f show a variety of accessory options that may be used withequipment carrying locations on an equipment carrying device.

FIGS. 4 a-4 c show different embodiments of a conforming region;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the equipmentcarrying device;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of another embodiment of the equipment carryingdevice;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the equipment carrying device;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of the equipment carryingdevice;

FIGS. 9-12 show views of alternate embodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 show perspective views of an alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of various embodiments of the present invention will nowbe given with reference to FIGS. 1-14. It is expected that the presentinvention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the followingdisclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and thescope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appendedclaims.

The present invention provides a device capable of carrying a pluralityof equipment. The device includes at least one handle, a conformingregion, and at least one location for attaching equipment. Users mayattach equipment to the device and/or place equipment withincompartments of the device and may carry the device on their back and/orshoulder by grasping a handle of the device over their shoulder andallowing the conforming region to conform to their back and/or shoulder.The device, therefore, aids a user in carrying a plurality of equipmentsimultaneously. In at least some embodiments, the handle of the devicemay be rotatably coupled to the device to assist the user intransitioning the device between a carrying position and a storagelocation, such as hanging on a wall.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “equipment” shall mean anyitem that a user may wish to transport. Therefore, equipment may beunderstood to include tools, sporting equipment, household items,computer equipment, transportation devices (e.g., bicycle, skateboard,etc.) and equipment (helmet, etc.), materials, liquids, and other items.“Equipment” may include large and small items separately orsimultaneously, as will become apparent below.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with referenceto FIGS. 1-4 in order to illustrate some of the advantages and featuresof the present invention. Reference will first be made to FIGS. 1-2,which show an equipment carrying device 100. The equipment carryingdevice 100 includes a handle 110, a conforming region 120, a pluralityof equipment carrying locations 130 and a body 140. The equipmentcarrying device 100 may contain any number of desired equipment carryinglocations 130 to aid in the carrying of a variety of equipment, and maybe located at any desirable location on the body 140 or the conformingregion 120. The equipment carrying device 100 may be constructed of avariety of materials to suit the desired application, such as, but notlimited to, plastics, metals, cardboard, PVC, and/or natural or man-madefibrous materials (e.g., fiberglass, plant material). The equipmentcarrying device 100 may be a unitary piece or may be made of multiplepieces. For example, the handle 110, the conforming region 120, thelocations 130, and the body 140 may all be separate pieces that may bejoined together by any desired attachment means, such as by screws,rivets, adhesives, interlocking structures, etc. Alternatively, anycombination of two or more of the handle 110, the conforming region 120,the locations 130, and the body 140 may be manufactured as a singleunitary item.

The handle 110 of the equipment carrying device 100 may be any type ofhandle which is capable of being grasped in order to carry the equipmentcarrying device 100. The handle 110 may be formed as a part of or may bedetachable from the conforming region 120. The handle 110 may besufficiently large to allow users to grasp it with their entire hand,or, alternatively, the handle 110 may be sufficiently large to allowusers to grasp it with both hands. The handle 110 may be sized to suitany desired application of carrying device 100. Additionally, the handle110 may be detachable from the conforming region 120 of the equipmentcarrying device 100, which might be desirable when the equipmentcarrying device 100 is not being carried. In at least some embodiments,the handle 110 may include a rotatable element, that may allow thehandle 110 to rotate with respect to the body 140/the conforming region120, as will be discussed further below. One skilled in the art willrecognize a variety of means that may be used to attach and detach thehandle 110 to the conforming region 120 and/or the body 140.

The conforming region 120 is designed to conform to a user's back and/orshoulder, or some other portion of a user's body, while he or she iscarrying the equipment carrying device 100. In order to conform to auser's back and/or shoulder, the conforming region 120 may beconstructed out of a non-rigid material. Alternatively, the conformingregion 120 may include hinges or other means to aid in the flexibilityof the conforming region 120. FIGS. 4 a-4 c show some configurations ofthe conforming region 120 that may be used with alternative embodimentsof the equipment carrying device 100.

Some possible configurations of the conforming region 120 will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 a-4 c. FIG. 4 a shows a conformingregion 120 a that is constructed of a flexible material that issubstantially continuous. Because the conforming region 120 a isconstructed of a flexible material, the conforming region 120 a mayconform to a user's back and/or shoulder (or other body part). FIG. 4 bshows a conforming region 120 b that includes sculpted hinges 122 b(such as living hinges) that allow the conforming region 120 b to bendand flex. When the sculpted hinges 122 b are in a bent configuration,surfaces 123 b of the sculpted hinges 122 b may form a substantiallycontinuous surface that conforms to a user's back and/or shoulder. FIG.4 c shows a conforming region 120 c that is constructed of pin hinges124 c and sections 125 c. The sections 125 c are connected together bythe pin hinges 124 c so that the sections 125 c may freely rotate withrespect to each other. The examples of embodiments of the conformingregion 120 shown in FIGS. 4 a-c are illustrative and not limiting. Oneskilled in the art will recognize many configurations of the conformingregion 120 that may be used with embodiments of the present invention.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the equipment carrying locations 130 aredesigned to accommodate the transportation of equipment. The equipmentcarrying locations 130 may include a variety of accessory options, suchas, but not limited to, hooks, clips, fasteners, clasps, pockets, loops,containers, or hook and loop fasteners to aid in attaching equipment tothe equipment carrying device 100. The equipment carrying locations 130may include any combination of accessory options to suit the desiredapplication of the equipment carrying device 100, including compartmentsand/or chambers, as best illustrated in FIGS. 13-14. A user may desireto change the accessory options included on the equipment carryinglocations 130; therefore, in some embodiments, means may be provided toallow a user to change the accessory options included in/at theequipment carrying locations 130. In addition, containers may beprovided on the equipment carrying locations 130 to aid in thetransportation of materials, liquids, small items, or any othermaterial. Containers for the equipment carrying locations 130 may takethe form of permeable containers, impermeable containers, and expandablecontainers.

FIGS. 3 a-3 f show a variety of accessory options and containers for usewith the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3 a shows a hook 131 foruse with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3 b shows a clasp132 for use with the equipment carrying locations 130. FIG. 3 c shows ahook-and-loop fastener 133 for use with the equipment carrying locations130. FIG. 3 d shows a clip 134 for use with the equipment carryinglocations 130. FIG. 3 e shows a mesh bag 135 for use with the equipmentcarrying locations 130. FIG. 3 f shows an impermeable container 136 foruse with the equipment carrying locations 130. The examples of accessoryoptions and containers for use with equipment carrying locations 130 areillustrative only and are not meant to limit the scope of the presentinvention. One skilled in the art will recognize a variety of means thatmay be used with the present invention to facilitate the carrying ofequipment.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, the equipment carrying device 100 mayinclude any number of the equipment carrying locations 130.Additionally, the equipment carrying locations 130 may be providedanywhere on body 140 or on conforming region 120 of equipment carryingdevice 100. By way of example, some of the equipment carrying locations130 may be located on a front side of the equipment carrying device 100,while other equipment carrying locations 130 may be located on a backside of the equipment carrying device 100, and other equipment carryinglocations 130 may be located on sides or other locations of theequipment carrying device 100.

An embodiment of the equipment carrying device 100 may include more thatone conforming region 120, and in such embodiments, each of theconforming regions 120 may include an associated handle 110. Forexample, in a desired application, an equipment carrying device mayinclude two conforming regions 120 and two handles 110 so that a usermay grasp one handle 110 with each hand, and the two conforming regions120 may conform to each shoulder of the user as the user carries theequipment carrying device 100 on his or her back. In another example,two handles 110 may be attached to one conforming region 120 so that auser may grasp one handle 110 with each hand, and the single conformingregion 120 may conform to the user's back and/or shoulder.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-2, body 140 includes the equipmentcarrying locations 130 and the conforming region 120. In oneconfiguration of the illustrated embodiment, the equipment carryingdevice 100 may be relatively small, such as approximately twenty-fourinches square, in order to carry equipment such as hammers and screwdrivers. In another example, the equipment carrying device 100 may belarger, such as thirty-six inches by fifty-four inches, in order tocarry equipment such as shovels and rakes. The body 140 may be anydesired dimension to suit a desired application of the equipmentcarrying device 100. In FIGS. 1-2, the body 140 is shown in asubstantially-rectangular configuration. However, one skilled in the artwill recognize that the body 140 may take a variety of shapes, such asan ellipse, a trapezoid, a hexagon, etc.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 5-6 show an equipment carrying device 200that is an example of a configuration of an equipment carrying devicefor carrying garden tools. The equipment carrying device 200 includes ahandle 210, a conforming region 220, equipment carrying locations 230,and a body 240. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the conforming region 220 andthe body 240 may be separate pieces of the equipment carrying device200. The conforming region 220 may be attached to the body 240 so thatthe body 240 does not bend while the conforming region 220 conforms to auser's back and/or shoulder. This configuration may keep the body 240substantially straight and rigid to provide support for the equipmentbeing carried by the equipment carrying device 200.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, the handle 210 is substantiallysimilar to the handle 110 described with reference to FIGS. 1-2. Thehandle 210 may be attached to the conforming region 220 so that both thehandle 210 and the conforming region 220 may conform to a user's backand/or shoulder substantially without bending the body 240. In order toassist in carrying garden tools (e.g., shovels, rakes, hoes, pitchforks,etc.), the equipment carrying locations 230 may be configured with hooks231 and a clasp 232, although other accessory options may be used tobest secure any selected and desired equipment, such as those accessoryoptions discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 a-3 f. By way of example,the body 240 of the equipment carrying device 200 may be configured tohave a length similar to the length of garden tools such as a shovel. Insome embodiments, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the body 240 may alsobe configured with one or more support members 242 that reinforce andprovide extra rigidity to the body 240, which may provide extra supportfor the equipment being carried by the equipment carrying device 200.

The equipment carrying device 200 provides an example of an embodimentof an equipment carrying device configured to carry garden equipment.One skilled in the art will recognize many other configurations of anequipment carrying device that may be used to carry garden equipment orany other equipment.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 7-8. FIGS. 7-8 show an embodiment of an equipmentcarrying device 300 configured to carry equipment used to wash vehiclesor windows, for example. The equipment carrying device 300 is configuredwith a handle 310, a conforming region 320, one or more equipmentcarrying locations 330, and a body 340. The configuration of the handle310, the conforming region 320, and the body 340 is substantiallysimilar to the configuration of described in reference to FIGS. 5-6. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, the body 340 may be configured to beshorter in length to accommodate smaller equipment such as that used towash vehicles or windows. Some of the equipment carrying locations 330may be equipped with hook-and-loop fasteners 333 and others withelements such as an impermeable container 336. The impermeable container336 may be used to store liquids, such as window washing liquid. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8 may be configured for carryinglight-weight items and liquid used in washing vehicles or windows.

The equipment carrying device 300 may include other features to enhanceits versatility. For example, the equipment carrying device 300 mayinclude one or more legs 350 attached to the body 340. The legs 350 maybe extended away from the body 240 in order to support the equipmentcarrying device 300 in an upright configuration, such as during use ofthe equipment carrying device 300. A user may desire an uprightconfiguration such as when the equipment carrying device 300 is carryinga liquid in an attached container for the washing of vehicles orwindows, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. In some embodiments, the handle310 may swivel or detach to increase the versatility of the equipmentcarrying device 300. As may be appreciated, the legs 350 are merely oneoption to improve the versatility of the equipment carrying device 300(or any embodiment of the illustrated equipment carrying devices shownabove or discussed hereafter). For example, some embodiments may includeone or more wheels or casters to permit a portion of the equipmentcarrying device to contact the ground or other surface and to be rolledto another location. This may assist in transportation of the equipmentcarrying device and any carried equipment. Other features that may beused in conjunction with the present invention will be apparent to oneskilled in the art.

Mention will now be made to the embodiments of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 9-12. FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the present inventionthat is capable of hanging on a rack or wall. The equipment carryingdevice 400 in FIG. 9 is shown hanging on a rack 402 without any attachedequipment. Alternatively, the equipment carrying device 400 illustratedin FIG. 9 may be hung on the rack 402 or on some other device attachedto a wall while the equipment carrying device 400 is carrying equipment.A user may wish to store equipment on the equipment carrying device 400in order to provide easy access to a plurality of equipment stored onthe equipment carrying device 400 while the equipment carrying device400 is hanging on the rack 402.

The equipment carrying device 400 illustrated in FIG. 9, as well as anyequipment carrying device previously or subsequently discussed, may beprovided with a rotating handle 410, such as the rotating handle 410illustrated in FIG. 12. The rotating handle 410 may provide an easytransition from a storage position of the equipment carrying device 400,such as on the rack 402, to a carried position on the user's shoulderand back. For example, the equipment carrying device 400 may be carryinga plurality of equipment and be stored on the rack 402. While on therack 402, the equipment carrying device 400 may have its handle 410configured to assist a user in hanging or removing the equipmentcarrying device 400 from the rack. When a user desires to tote theequipment carrying device 400, the handle 410 may rotate, as shown inFIG. 12, to assist the user in transitioning the equipment carryingdevice 400 over his or her shoulder. The rotating handle 410, therefore,allows a user to easily remove the equipment carrying device 400 from astorage position on the rack 402 to a carrying position over the user'sshoulder and back in a single motion. Similarly, the rotating handle 410permits a user to transition the equipment carrying device 400 from acarrying position over the user's shoulder and/or back to a storageposition on the rack 402 in a single motion. Similar transitions may bemade from storage/carrying/resting positions on the ground, leaning upagainst a car, etc., all facilitated by the rotating handle 410.

For example, it is typically desirable that the equipment being held bythe equipment carrying device 400 face outward while the equipmentcarrying device 400 is on the rack 402 for easy access. If the equipmentcarrying device 400 is merely picked up, the equipment thus held outwardby the equipment carrying device 400 will naturally be located adjacentthe user's back where it may be uncomfortable. The rotating handle 410permits the equipment carrying device 400 to be spun as it is picked upfrom the rack 402 so that a back surface of the equipment carryingdevice 400 is instead located adjacent the user's back, enhancing thecomfort of the user. This may be accomplished in a single fluid motionwith little effort and without requiring complex motion by the user. Insome embodiments, a similar process may be used to transition anequipment carrying device that does not have a rotating handle 410 froma hanging storage position to a carried slung position, as will bereadily appreciated by one of skill in the art.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 10-11, FIG. 10 a shows the embodiment ofFIG. 9 where the rotating handle 410 and a conforming region 420 are inan upright configuration, such as when the equipment carrying device 400is disposed on the rack 402. FIG. 10 b shows the embodiment of FIG. 9where the rotating handle 410 and the conforming region 420 are in abent configuration, such as when the equipment carrying device 400 isdisposed on a user's back and shoulder. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment ofthe present invention that includes legs 450 that may be extended tosupport the equipment carrying device 400 in a standing configuration.As discussed above, a user may desire to place an equipment carryingdevice 400 in a standing configuration to aid in the access to equipmenton the equipment carrying device 400 when the equipment carrying device400 is not being carried and is not hung on the rack 402, wall, or otherlocation. Alternatively, some embodiments of the equipment carryingdevice may be stored in such a standing configuration.

An additional embodiment of an equipment carrier 500 is illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, which illustrate perspective back and side views of theequipment carrier 500. The equipment carrier 500 illustrated in FIGS. 13and 14 may be configured for use for carrying sports equipment, andillustrates multiple compartments configured for storing sports-typeequipment. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the back of the equipmentcarrier 500. The equipment carrier 500 includes a rotating handle 510and a conforming region 520 as described with respect topreviously-described embodiments. In at least some embodiments, as bestillustrated by the side perspective view of FIG. 14, a portion of theconforming region 520 and of the body of the equipment carrier 500 maybe provided with a reversible attachment means 502, such as a snap, ahook-and-loop fastener system, a zipper, etc., permitting the rotatinghandle 510 to be secured close to the body of the equipment carrier 500,such as for storage or for transportation in, for example, a wheeledrolling bag configuration.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is substantially thickerthan the embodiments previously illustrated, and illustrates the widerange of equipment carriers embraced by the embodiments of the presentinvention. By way of example, the equipment carrier 500 may havedimensions sufficient to permit storage of a plurality of sportsequipment items, including, for example, multiple sports balls, asillustrated in FIG. 13. Thus, the equipment carrier 500 may be providedwith various compartments, pockets, closures, etc., including zipperedpockets, hook-and-loop closures 504, outer side pockets 506 (such as forthe storage of a portion of a racket or bat, illustrated at 508), penpockets 512, hinged flap-covered compartments 514, and the variouscompartments may include various closure mechanisms, including straps,buckles, zippers, snaps, cinching devices, etc. In at least someembodiments, protective foam may be included at various locations, suchas locations 516 to protect either equipment within the equipmentcarrier 500 or to make the equipment carrier 500 more comfortable forcarrying by the user.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a device that carries aplurality of equipment simultaneously. In addition, the presentinvention reduces the stress and strain of carrying a plurality ofequipment by providing an equipment carrying device that conforms to theuser's back and/or shoulder while carrying the device. One of skill inthe art will recognize many varied implementations of the advantages andfeatures of the present invention in addition to the examples andconfigurations specifically described in this disclosure.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An equipment carrying device comprising: a body having a frontsurface and a rear surface; a conforming region coupled to the body,wherein the conforming region is capable of conforming to a user's backand shoulder; and a handle coupled to the conforming region, wherein theuser carries the equipment carrying device on his or her back bygrasping the handle over his or her shoulder so that the front surfacefaces away from the user, the rear surface faces the user, and theconforming region conforms to the user's back and/or shoulder.
 2. Theequipment carrying device of claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatablycoupled to the conforming region whereby the rotatable connectionbetween the handle and the conforming region enables the equipmentcarrying device to be rotated relative to the handle as the user slingsthe equipment carrying device to and from the user's shoulder.
 3. Theequipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising an equipmentcarrying accessory provided to at least a portion of one of the body andthe conforming member.
 4. The equipment carrying device of claim 3,wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises one of: a pouch; ahook; a clasp; a hook-and-loop fastener; a compartment; a pocket; anexpandable pouch; an impermeable compartment; a clip; a spring-loadedclip; and a ring.
 5. The equipment carrying device of claim 4, whereinthe equipment carrying accessory comprises a reversible securing meansfor securing equipment at the equipment carrying accessory.
 6. Theequipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a leg attachedto the body for holding the equipment carrying device in an uprightposition.
 7. The equipment carrying device of claim 1, furthercomprising a wheel for facilitating translational motion of theequipment carrying device across a substantially flat surface.
 8. Theequipment carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a rackconfigured to engage and secure one of the handle, the conformingregion, and the body, thereby permitting hanging the equipment carryingdevice on a wall.
 9. The equipment carrying device of claim 1,configured to carry equipment of a type selected from the group of:sports equipment; window washing equipment; car washing equipment;gardening equipment; and tools.
 10. An equipment carrying devicecomprising: a body having a front surface and a rear surface; aconforming member attached to the body, wherein the conforming member iscapable of conforming to the back or shoulder of a user; and a handlerotatably coupled to the conforming member, wherein the user carries thebody on his or her back by grasping the handle over his or her shoulderso that the front surface faces away from the user, the rear surfacefaces the user, and the conforming member conforms to the user's back orshoulder.
 11. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, furthercomprising a leg attached to the body for holding the equipment carryingdevice in an upright position.
 12. The equipment carrying device ofclaim 10, further comprising a wheel for facilitating translationalmotion of the equipment carrying device across a substantially flatsurface.
 13. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, furthercomprising a securing element attached to a wall and configured toengage and secure one of the handle, the conforming region, and thebody, thereby permitting hanging the equipment carrying device on thewall.
 14. The equipment carrying device of claim 10, further comprising:an equipment carrying accessory provided to at least a portion of one ofthe body and the conforming member.
 15. The equipment carrying device ofclaim 14, wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises one of: apouch; a hook; a clasp; a hook-and-loop fastener; a compartment; apocket; an expandable pouch; an impermeable compartment; a clip; aspring-loaded clip; and a ring.
 16. The equipment carrying device ofclaim 15, wherein the equipment carrying accessory comprises areversible securing means for securing equipment at the equipmentcarrying accessory.
 17. A method for using an equipment carrying devicecomprising: providing an equipment carrying device having a conformingregion and a handle rotatably connected to the conforming region of theequipment carrying device; storing the equipment carrying device byhanging it on one of a wall and a rack; grasping the rotatable handle ofthe equipment carrying device and removing the equipment carrying devicefrom the rack; rotating the equipment carrying device at the rotatablehandle while slinging the equipment carrying device over a user'sshoulder, whereby a portion of the equipment carrying device that wasfacing away from the user on the wall or rack in storage now facestoward the user's shoulder in a carrying position; and carrying theequipment carrying device by grasping the rotatable handle of theequipment carrying device over the shoulder of the user.
 18. The methodof claim 17, further comprising: slinging the equipment carrying devicefrom the user's shoulder; setting the equipment carrying device down inan upright use position whereby equipment may be accessed from storageof the equipment carrying device; and returning the equipment carryingdevice from the upright use position to the user's shoulder, whereby theuser can control the orientation of the equipment carrying device byrotating the equipment carrying device relative to the handle as theequipment carrying device is slung over the user's shoulder.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: slinging the equipment carryingdevice from the user's shoulder; and re-hanging the equipment carryingdevice on the wall or rack, with the portion of the equipment carryingdevice that was facing the user's back facing away from the user andtoward the wall or rack.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprisingconforming at least a portion of the conforming region of the equipmentcarrying region to the user's back and shoulder.